Union County Service Provides Education, Treatment Referrals for Intoxicated Drivers

By ROMAN CHIARELLO

September 9, 2019 at 6:10 AM

Content Options

The freeholder board will vote on a resolution to renew the IDRC service for 2020 during its regular meeting September 12. The freeholder board will vote on a resolution to renew the IDRC service for 2020 during its ...Credits: Roman Chiarello

The freeholder board will vote on a resolution to renew the service for 2020 during its regular meeting September 12. The freeholder board will vote on a resolution to renew the service for 2020 during its regular ...Credits: Roman Chiarello

Ad

By ROMAN CHIARELLO

September 9, 2019 at 6:10 AM

UNION COUNTY, NJ – A Union County service offers treatment referrals, education, and other support services for those found driving while intoxicated.

The Union County Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) served a total of 851 people in 2018, all of whom were charged and/or convicted of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

The IDRC “is a required state mandated (12 hour program) to educate, screen and evaluate clients who may be in need of a structured intervention regarding their alcohol and/or drug abuse,” the county’s website says.

The county requires individuals charged and/or convicted of DWI and DUI to attend this mandatory program. Over the two-day course, participants attend alcohol and drug education classes, are screened by licensed counselors, and receive referrals to additional treatment providers if necessary, the website says.

“This educational Alcohol/Drug program is designated to prevent future recidivism and continues to work cooperatively with the local providers, the Courts, the state and DWI offenders,” the website says. “Our focus is quality services, a positive outcome for our clients and to heighten community awareness and safety.”

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will vote on a resolution to renew the service for 2020 during its regular meeting September 12.

The program is currently held in The Gateway Family YMCA at 1564 Irving Street in Rahway. At the meeting, the freeholder board will also vote on whether to approve a lease agreement to continue using this facility for the program in 2020. Under the agreement, the county plans to lease the space for 25 IDRC classes, scheduled to take place over a minimum of 50 days, in an amount not to exceed $26,000.

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ – Mini Puthenpura harvested a snake gourd from her garden earlier this month and thought it seemed exceptionally large – more than seven feet long.

For those who have never heard of such a fruit, it is a tropical or subtropical vine grown in India and other areas of Asia and Southeast Asia. It thrives in hot, humid weather – something Berkeley Heights enjoyed this ...

New Jersey Date Night is a series on NJ Flavor by relationship writer Craig Rogers.

When you date someone not from New Jersey they might ask why we’re known as the Garden State. Typically the answer can be found with one visit to a local farmer’s market, but if doubt persists all you have to do is take them to a New Jersey orchard.

A beautiful fall afternoon becomes magical when you visit ...

New Jersey Date Night is a series on NJ Flavor by relationship writer Craig Rogers.

ASBURY PARK, NJ -- Besides sand, surf and Springsteen, Asbury Park has been known in recent years as a hub for the New Jersey LGBTQ community. HomeGrown Host Stephanie Willoughby spoke with Comedian & Activist Jess Alaimo about the LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere of Asbury Park. Alaimo grew up in Asbury Park, where she still lives, and has family roots here. She founded the Asbury Park Young ...

ASBURY PARK, NJ -- Besides sand, surf and Springsteen, Asbury Park has been known in recent years ...

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - The 8th Annual Berkeley Heights Fire Department Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the fire house was a huge success. This late summer evening brings together a multi-generational crowd for an evening of conversation among first responders, neighbors, friends, politicians, and community leaders.

The tables are known not to turn over quickly because the supporters ...

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ — Before Jeff Torborg caught Sandy Kaufax’s perfect game while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he earned the honor of All-State as a catcher at Westfield High School and an All-American catcher at Rutgers University.

Torborg, who during his 10-year-long career in baseball played for the California Angels and was part of Don Drysdale’s record-setting streak of 58-2/3 ...

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ — Before Jeff Torborg caught Sandy Kaufax’s perfect game while playing for the Los ...

NEW YORK, NY -- TAPintoTV caught up with Attorney Jonathan Goodgold, Esq., of the law firm Maitlin Maitlin Goodgold Brass & Bennett at TechDay New York, the largest event for startups in the U.S. TechDay produces events to connect the startup community and highlight the most unique and innovative products currently in development.

“All great businesses start with a great idea,” said ...

NEW YORK, NY -- TAPintoTV caught up with Attorney Jonathan Goodgold, Esq., of the law firm Maitlin ...

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Nat Adderley Jr., best known for his work with Luther Vandross, will headline the closing night of the three-day Central Jersey Jazz Festival Sunday, Sept. 15 from 4:45-6 p.m. on the East Main Street stage adjacent to the green surrounding the historic Somerset County Courthouse.

Opening the 5-hour concert will be tenor saxaphonist Javon Jackson (1:30-2:40 p.m.), followed by ...

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Nat Adderley Jr., best known for his work with Luther Vandross, will headline the ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ - Governor Livingston’s Boys Soccer team suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Livingston Lancers in Livingston. Ethan Proper scored the only goal for the Highlanders late in the first half, but Livingston’s late game heroics were too much for the Highlanders to pull off the upset.

Livingston, an Essex County powerhouse team, was heavily favored in the matchup, but the visiting ...

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - Governor Livingston Girls Volleyball defeated rival New Providence in straight sets on Monday, September 9th. Despite falling to the Pioneers in a preseason scrimmage, GL dominated for most of the match, out scoring its neighboring school, 50-35.

The Pioneers got out to a six point lead as the first set progressed, but a serving run by junior Ashley Parker brought the ...

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - After five consecutive weeks of threatening storms forcing the summer concerts to be postponed -- the season wrapped up with a spectacular evening last Wednesday in honor of our local first responders.

Before the the Idol Kings took the stage, our local first responders and community leaders lined the parking lot to greet the families. The kids enjoyed touring the rigs ...